Sports

I feel the need to confess that I have little knowledge or skill when it comes to most major organized sports. I have basic knowledge of the rules of things like baseball, football, and basketball, but always have been one of the worst players on my team in situations where I ended up on a team, and have little knowledge of the top professionals or teams. It is common for me to be unaware of which teams are playing in the "World Series" or in the "Superbowl", and I cannot offhand name the most recent winners of either, though I know a few years ago the New England Patriots won SOMETHING because I was happy to have an old set of New England Patriots glasses that I received one at a time where I purchased gasoline.

Personally, I have had a bit more success at sports not involving throwing and catching a ball, like track and wrestling. I was a pretty good wrestler in my pre-high school days, but gave it up in high school. In high school, I ran track and cross country, and in college completed two full (26+ mile) marathons, but was never particularly fast. Still, I suppose I have a better knowledge of track and field than other areas of sports.

I do not mean to imply that I place any of these sports on a higher level than any other sports. My point is that in my life, lack of knowledge and skill regarding baseball, football, and basketball has placed me outside of what I perceive to be the mainstream, whereas my weakness at bowling is less consequential, and my weakness at curling and cricket is pretty much the norm among my neighbors. My college study of fencing rarely comes up in conversation.

It would be difficult to function in our society without at least a passing knowledge of various sports, if only to understand the metaphors. Phrases like "home run" are commonly used completely outside of sporting events. "Three strikes you're out" is often heard outside of baseball.

I, too, use these metaphors, and apply the lessons of sporting events to other areas of life, although I suspect that as a whole we would be better off if our society placed less emphasis on organized and especially professional sports, and less emphasis on competition in general -- but THAT is another topic.

Addendum --

I watched the entire second half of the Superbowl this year -- possibly the largest segment of the Superbowl I have ever watched in my life, and certainly the most since my childhood. I enjoyed it, at least partly because it was an interesting, well-played game.